Research Overview
The Global Supply Chain Laboratory (GSCL) is a Texas A&M Industrial Distribution Program laboratory utilized to educate our students, create cutting edge solutions for wholesale and industrial distribution channels, and provide answers to Distribution and Supply Chain Management (SCM) challenges. The lab conducts research projects to solve distribution industry problems. Projects areas include inventory classification (ABC stratification), forecasting, purchasing planning, distribution network optimization (asset management), logistics planning, distribution channel analysis, application of performance metrics, Enterprise Resource Management (ERP) process and functionality improvements, etc. The lab also assists distributors and manufacturers with technology implementation, process automation and training to better manage their assets and increase profitability. The Global Supply Chain Laboratory also offers education and training to industrial distributors and manufacturers. The educational programs are research based, innovative, proven, and cutting edge methods developed within Texas A&M's Industrial Distribution Program.
The Thomas and Joan Read Center for Distribution Research and Education applies both advanced research skills and a thorough understanding of distribution to every project. Our experts, who merge long standing industry experience with the latest developments in academia, conduct both primary and secondary research for manufacturers, distributors, professional associations and publications.
Our expertise lies in the following major areas with in the field of Industrial Distribution.
- Distributor Quality
- Sales / Marketing
- Executive Leadership
- Strategy / Relationships
- Profitability / Purchasing
- Supply Chain Management
- Transportation / Logistics
- ERP / CRM / IT / E-business
Our Faculty
Robert M. Borsh, Jr.
- Associate Professor of Practice, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution,
- Industrial Distribution
- Office: FERM 304C
- Phone: 979-862-7225
- Email: bob.borsh@tamu.edu
Ismail Capar
- Associate Professor, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution,
- Industrial Distribution
- Office: FERM 203G
- Phone: 979-862-8312
- Email: capar@tamu.edu
Bahar Cavdar
- Assistant Professor, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution,
- Industrial Distribution
- Office: FERM 203C
- Phone: 979-458-1197
- Email: bcavdar@tamu.edu
Yanling Chang
- Assistant Professor, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution and Industrial & Systems Engineering,
- Industrial Distribution
- Office: FERM 205D
- Phone: 979-845-4864
- Email: yanling.chang@tamu.edu
Norm Clark
- Instructional Associate Professor, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution,
- Industrial Distribution
- Office: FERM 302D
- Phone: 979-847-9076
- Email: nclark@tamu.edu
Tom Comstock
- Senior Lecturer, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution,
- Industrial Distribution
- Email: twcomstock@tamu.edu
Read Frymire
- Senior Lecturer, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution,
- Industrial Distribution
- Phone: 214-533-3580
- Email: read.frymire@tamu.edu
Eleftherios Iakovou
- Professor, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution,
- Industrial Distribution
- Director, Manufacturing & Logistics Innovation Initiatives, Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station
- Harvey Hubbell Professorship
- Affiliated Faculty, Mechanical Engineering
- Affiliated Faculty, Mosbacher Institute for Trade, Economics, and Public Policy, The Bush School of Government and Public Service
- Office: FERM 205F
- Phone: 979-458-1097
- Email: eiakovou@tamu.edu
Jay Johnson
- Senior Lecturer, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution,
- Industrial Distribution
- Office: FERM 203F
- Phone: 979-458-2581
- Email: johnson@tamu.edu
Mark Johnson
- Director, Professors of Practice Program
- Associate Professor of Practice, Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution,
- Office: FERM 204C | ZACH 400G
- Phone: 979-862-7092
- Email: johnson78@tamu.edu
F. Barry Lawrence
- Professor, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution,
- Industrial Distribution, Program Coordinator
- Director, Thomas & Joan Read Center for Distribution Research and Education
- Director, Global Supply Chain Laboratory
- Leonard & Valerie Bruce Professor
- Office: 2RPK 280E | FERM 205G
- Phone: 979-845-1463
- Email: fb-lawrence@tamu.edu
Bharani Nagarathnam
- Instructional Associate Professor, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution,
- Master of Industrial Distribution Program, Associate Director
- Office: FERM 302E
- Phone: 979-847-8941
- Email: bharani@tamu.edu
Malini Natarajarathinam
- Associate Professor, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution,
- Industrial Distribution
- Office: FERM 203D
- Phone: 979-845-6766
- Email: malini@tamu.edu
Bimal Nepal
- Professor, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution,
- Industrial Distribution, Associate Director
- Holleran-Bowman Faculty Fellow
- Rader I Professor
- Office: FERM 204B
- Phone: 979-845-2230
- Email: nepal@tamu.edu
Xiaofeng Nie
- Associate Professor, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution,
- Industrial Distribution
- Office: FERM 204E
- Phone: 979-458-8132
- Email: xiaofengnie@tamu.edu
Daniel Rey
- Associate Professor of Practice, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution,
- Industrial Distribution
- Phone: 979-845-3148
- Email: daniel.rey@tamu.edu
Esther Rodriguez Silva
- Principal Research Engineer III, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution,
- Industrial Distribution
- Office: SBSA 118F
- Phone: 979-845-3146
- Email: estherrsilva@tamu.edu
Chukwuzubelu Ufodike
- Assistant Professor, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution, and Multidisciplinary Engineering
- Industrial Distribution
- Manufacturing & Mechanical Engineering Technology
- Charlotte & Walter Buchanan Faculty Fellow
- Office: FERM 203H
- Phone: 979-845-0093
- Email: ufodike@tamu.edu
Evan Vestal
- Senior Lecturer, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution,
- Industrial Distribution, Industry Projects Coordinator
- Office: FERM 205E
- Phone: 979-862-1786
- Email: evanv@tamu.edu
Na Zou
- Assistant Professor, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution,
- Industrial Distribution
- Corrie & Jim Furber '64 Faculty Fellow
- Office: FERM 204D
- Phone: 979-862-7825
- Email: nzou1@tamu.edu
